Syria submits new proposal for removal of chemicals

THE HAGUE, March 4 (Xinhua) -- Syria has submitted a revised proposal that aims to complete the removal of all chemicals in the country before the end of April 2014 and declared to already have shipped one third of its chemical weapons stockpile, the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) announced on Tuesday.

The OPCW-UN joint mission stated that two more loads of chemicals have left the port of Latakia, including a quantity of mustard gas. Another movement, a significant consignment of other high priority chemicals, is scheduled to arrive in Latakia during this week, which will bring the total number of movements thus far to six.

The six movements represent more than 35 percent of all chemicals that must be removed from Syria for destruction. In addition, the OPCW said it verified Syria's destruction of more than 93 percent of its stock of isopropanol.

In its report to the opening session of the executive council, Director-General Ahmet Uzumcu said that all materials and equipment required by Syria are now in place for the expeditious removal of its remaining chemicals, including armoured jackets for the protection of containers.

"Given delays since the lapse of the two target dates for removal, it will be important to maintain this newly-created momentum," Uzumcu said.

"For its part, the Syrian government has reaffirmed its commitment to implement the removal operations in a timely manner."

Prior to initiating operations in January to remove its chemicals, in late 2013 Syria completed the functional destruction of its chemical weapons production facilities, mixing and filling equipment, and all of its munitions that were designed for use with chemical warfare agents.

Damascus missed earlier deadlines in December and February. The United Nations Security Council and OPCW executive council earlier established the final deadline for the removal and elimination of the Syrian chemical weapons program as the end of June 2014.